2010-2011 NHL Awards Predictions: Who Is Going to Win and Why

It is that time of year again, and as the NHL regular season draws to a close, it is time to take a look at the various awards and trophies and who they will be awarded to. There are so many different players that could be considered, but there is only one winner.

In the slideshow the awards are listed, their mission statements and who will win the award and why.

Hart Memorial Trophy: Henrik... No Wait Daniel Sedin

Last season, the Vancouver Canucks' Henrik Sedin won this prestigious award which is handed out to the league's most valuable player.

There are many candidates who should be considered for this award. In the true spirit of the award playing of the framing of what this award was intended, Henrik Lundqvist should win this award.

Why?

Before you jump out and say what about Daniel Sedin or Tim Thomas or whoever, look at the New York Rangers overall. Who do they really have? They have had a lackluster offensive year which has forced Henrik to play like a perfectionist. Henrik has been the backbone of the team

He also has numbers worthy of him being the Vezina Trophy recipient. That award, however, is given to the goaltender who usually has the best overall statistics.

Without Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers are nothing. The same can not be said for the Vancouver Canucks. Without Daniel Sedin, the Canucks still have Henrik Sedin, Ryan Kessler and Roberto Luongo who make the Canucks a great team.

Who will win this award: Daniel Sedin

Daniel Sedin has been an integral part of the Vancouver Canucks and should win the Ted Lindsay Award, but I can see him picking up the Hart Trophy as well. While he has not been the Most Valuable Player to his team, he has still has had a very impressive season.

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy - Martin St. Louis

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Last season, Martin St.Louis of the Tampa Bay Lighting took home this award, and I think he will again this year. This trophy is awarded to "the player who exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability."

So far this season, Martin St. Louis has only ten penalty minutes to his name.

He also has 30 goals, 62 assists and 92 overall points to his name. Barring an explosive outburst physically in the remaining games of the season, Martin St. Louis seems like a shoo-in win the award for the second consecutive year.

Vezina Trophy - Tim Thomas

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Last season, Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller captured this trophy. This season, the Vezina Trophy will most likely go to Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins.

His numbers this season ( even though a bit inflated due to number of games played) are phenomenal. Thomas leads the league with a goals against average of 1.98 and a save percentage of .938 He has also posted a record of 33-10-9.

Thomas has been solid in net for the Bruins and would become one of the older goalies to win the Vezina Trophy; Thomas will turn 37 later this month.

Other legitimate candidates include Henrik Lundqvist of the Rangers and Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators.

Calder Memorial Trophy - Michael Grabner

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Last season, Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres took home this award. This year, I think Michael Grabner of the New York Islanders wins the award. Grabner first grabbed the attention of most fans after showing off his impressive speed at the NHL All-Star Game skills competition.

Offensively, Grabner has been impressive. Grabner has a total of 31 goals and 17 assists for 48 points. He has reinvigorated the Islanders offense and makes them appear to be a potential playoff team in the near future.

Other worthy candidates include Jeff Skinner of the Carolina Hurricanes, Logan Couture of the San Jose Sharks, Derek Stepan of the New York Rangers and Corey Crawford of the Chicago Blackhawks.

James Norris Memorial Trophy - Nicklas Lidstrom

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I have a funny feeling somewhere, down the line, this award will be renamed in this man's honor.

Last year, Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks won the award. This season, Nicklas Lidstrom has defied the laws of physics with his superb play despite his age of 40. This would be his seventh Norris Trophy overall.

Lidstrom has always been a great offensive defensemen whose defense seldom lacks. Despite a small minus rating of minus-three, Nicklas Lidstrom has still proved, A) he can still play and B) he is one of the top defenseman in the NHL

Zdeno Chara is also a worthy contender, but due to the Max Pacciorety incident, many writers may hold that against him.

Jack Adams Award - Dan Bylsma

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Last year, this award went to Dave Tippet of the Phoenix Coyotes. This year, Dan Bylsma has had the daunting task of running a team without his biggest stars. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal have all missed a significant number of games this season.

Despite this, the Pittsburgh Penguins have stormed forward and are currently challenging the Philadelphia Flyers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

I commend Dan Bylsma for his perseverance and hard work, and I think this award is rightfully deserved.

Other candidates include: Alain Vigneault of the Vancouver Canucks, John Tortorella of the New York Rangers Guy Boucher of the Tampa Bay Lighting, and Jacques Lemaire of the New Jersey Devils.

Frank J. Selke Trophy - Frans Nielsen

This award went to Pavel Datsuyk of the Detroit Red Wings last season. Frans Nielsen of the New York Islanders has shown he can play defense, score and kill penalties all in the same shfit.

Nielsen leads the league with seven short-handed goals. He also has a total of 13 goals 31 assists for 44 points along with a plus/minus rating of plus-14. His overall play makes him more than deserving of this award.

Ryan Kesler also deserves consideration. He was nominated last year for the award. Kesler is an offensive powerhouse who has a great stat line. With a total of 37 goals and 32 assists for 69 points and a plus minus of + 22 he is another favorite to win. He is also a great faceoff man and penalty killer.

I think Nielsen will win because Kesler appears to be to offensive minded for what is meant to be a defensive forward award.

Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy - Corey Perry

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As it stands right now, Corey Perry would win this award as he leads the NHL with 46 goals. Steven Stamkos is currently hot on his tail with 44 goals. There are a few games left in the season, and anything can happen because it only takes one second to score a goal.

Ted Lindsay Award - Daniel Sedin

Awarded to the NHL's outstanding player as selected by the members of the NHL Players Association, Daniel Sedin will most likely be selected by his peers as the winner of this award.

Daniel Sedin has had a quality year statistically and has been one of the best players in the league. In addition to this award, he will most likely pick up the Hart Trophy as the MVP and the Art Ross as the leading scorer.

Mark Messier Leadership Award - Jonathan Toews

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This is awarded to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season. This award should go to Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks. There was a time during the year where many fans thought the Blackhawks were a one-hit wonder. They were out of the playoff race in the West for most of the year.

Jonathan Toews then led his Blackhawks on a great winning streak that rejuvenated them with life. Toews went on a massive scoring streak during that run. So far this season, Toews has been a great leader as well; he has scored 31 goals and 44 assists for 75 points overall.